Motor controller



May 19, 1931. E. F. KIECKHE'FER MOTOR CONTROLLER Filed May 11, 1925 w /Au 1141/1}: M? fair I k M vision of Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN F. KIECKHEFER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR A. KIECKHEI ER ELEVATOR 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN MOTOR CONTROLLER Application filed May 11,

This invention relates to motor controllers and is particularly applicable to controllers for elevators although certain features thereof may be advantageously employed in other relations.

In elevator service it is frequently desired to provide for automatic leveling of the car with its variouslandings upon overtravel or undertravel or upon movement of the car after being brought to rest and this invention has among its objects to provide an improved controller afi-ording such control of an elevator car or similar'control of other devices.

Another object is to provide such a con troller having a leveling range Within which the car is operated at high speed until within a given distance of the selected landing, whereupon the car is slowed down for final positioning thereof and further the promeans whereby the motor employed for ordinary high speed operation of the car outside the leveling range may be employed also for operation thereof at both high and low speeds within such range to level said car with the selected landing.

Another object is'to provide such a controller wherein the control instrumentalities for the several landings are combined in a single control unit, including a single set of switches common to all said landings.

Another object is to provide such a controller-wherein the control'unit for the various landings may be located in the pent house or elsewhere as desired for convenience of inspection and adjustment thereof.

Another object is to provide a controller wherein provision is'madc for quiet operation of the switches of the aforementioned control units thus eliminating the necessity for repairing the switches or their actuating parts to t :iet the same.

(Ether objects and advantages of the invention The accompanying drawings diagrammatically illustrate one embodiment of the inwhich will now be describes, it bein understood that the invention may be embodied in various forms of falling within the scope of the appended claims In the drawings, 1

1925. Serial N0. 29,403.

Figure l diagrammatically illustrates the controller employed in connection with an elevator; and

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate in further detail parts shown in Fig. 1.

Referringto the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, the same diagrammatically illustrates an elevator car 1 to be operated by a motor M having an armature a and shunt field f. It is of course to be understood that any other preferred type of motor may be employed.

The motor M which may of course be controlled in any preferred manneris shown as provided with electro-responsive reversing switches 2 and 3, and electro-responsive accelerating device 4 and a normally closed armature shunt switch 5, said switches and accelerating device being under the control of a car switch 6. The car switch 6 is movable in opposite directions from an intermediate position to energize the reversing switches 2 and. 3 selectively for slow speed operation of the motor M in either direction at will. able in either direction to energize the switch 5 to interrupt the armature shunt and further to energize the accelerating device 4 to effect high speed operation of the motor as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The aforementioned'control switches and accelerating device are alsounder the control of automatic switches 7, 8 and 9, said switches being normally open and being adapted to be closed by individual series of cams provided on a rotatable drum 10 operable in synchronism with the car 1 as hereinafter set forth. Such switches may be of any prefe red type of for example of the type shown in Fig. 2. i

The switch 7 when closed completes an energizing circuit for the reversing switch 2 independent of the car switch 6 while the switch 8 when closed completes an energizing circuit for the reversing switch 3 independent of the car switch 6 and the drum 10 has two rows of cams 11 and 12 which provide for closure of one or the other of said switches as the car approaches each landing, according to the direction of approach. The switch 9 on Also the car switch is further operare threaded into the drums tion. to maintain high speed so long as they retain the other hand completes an energizing circuit for the switch 5 independent of the car switch and the drum 10 is provided with a series of cams 13 to close said switch 9 substantially simultaneously with the closure of either of switches 7 and 8.

Referring to Fig; 8 which better shows the arrangement of cams for a single'landing,

the cams 11' and 12 are arranged with their ad acent ends in a spaced relation circumierentially of the drum while the cams 13 also shown in F 1g. 2 are arranged with their ad jacent ends spaced a greater distance circumferentially of the drum and in a inanner whereby a line drawn to divide equally the space therebetween will also divide equally the space between the adjacent ends of cams 11 and 12" The cams Hand 12 which as stated respectively control through switches 7 and 8 the reversing switches 2 and 8 are of equallength and individually of a length correspondingto'tlie desired leveling range in either direction; These cams must of course be relatively adjusted whereby each will release itsrespective switch before the other closes its respective switch in order that both reversing switches may open to stop the motor and yet said cams must be rela-, tively adjusted to maintain their respective switches closed for an adequate time to insure leveling before arrest of the motor. Accordingly said cams are preferably individually adjustable circumferentially of the drum and to afford such adjustment the same are shown as slotted longitudinally to receive clamping screws 14 which it may be assumed tis of course to be understood that any other preferred adjusting means may be provided.

The cams 18 which; as stated control through'switch 9 the speed. of the motor M are also preferably of equallength and in dividually ofa length corresponding to the desired range of high speed in eitherdirec- These :cams function as will appear switch 9 closed and hence must be adjusted relatively to the cams 11 and'12 respectively to release the switch 9 in time to permit gradual slow down of the motor for stopping of the latter upon release of switch 7 or switch 8 according to the direction of approach to will assume control of the car whenever the car switch is thrown to ofi? position after closure of switch 7 or switch 8. Thereupon operation ofthe car willbe continued until the switch 7 or switch 8 as the case may be r is released by the drum to stop the motor and it the car switch is thrown to off position while theswitch 9 is closed the continued operation of the car will be at high speed until the drum releases switch-9 to effect slowdown,

preparatory to stopping by release of switch 7 or switch 8. Of course the switch 9 and its co-operating cams 18 may be omitted if desired but as employment thereof enables an increase in leveling range without increasing the time consumed in leveling the samewill be found advantageous in many instances. Intact with the arrangement illustrated the leveling range in either direction from each landing may be e il-tended to correspondtoalmost half the travel of the car to the next adjacent landin which is very advantageous where as in department stores it is the practiceto sto) at all landin s on each tri Also the arrangement is manifestly advantageous in ordinary service if the operator lacks skill in stopping or is inclined toward carelessness in stopping.

The drum 10 is preferably connected to the. car through reduction gearing whereby it is operated at a relatively slow speed to minimize the required dimensions thereof and to minimize the noiseincident to actuation ofswitches 7 8 and 9. As shown the drum is connected through reduction 'gearing17 to asheave 18 over which passes a rope, cable or chain 19 connected to the car 1, said rope,

'cable or chain also passing around a weighted sheave 20. As will be understood the a r rangement is such as to provide for drive];

ofthe drum throughout the full range of travel oi the car and as to niaintain'a given relation between the drum and car under all conditions. 7 a r I v a c Considering the control of the motor more specifically switch 2 when closed completes circuit from line L through the left hand pole 01 said switch by conductor 21 through theme-tor armature from right to left by conductors 22' and'23 through the right hand pole ofsaid switch by conductor 24: through resistance 7 r; r andr to line L On the other hand switch 3 when closed'completes circuit from line L, throughthe left hand .pole of said switch byconductor 22 through the motor armature from left to right by conductor 21-tlirough the right hand pole of said switch to and through resistances 1" to r and thence to line L 3 provide for slow speed operation of the 1::

Thus switches 2 and motor in either direction the field 01" the motor being connected directly across lines L and L as is Obvious.

The switch 5 normally. completes a shunt circuit for the motor armature including a resistance r and this shunt is maintained for slow speed operation. However, the switch 5 may be energized at will to open this shunt and at the same time cause response of the device 4 to exclude resistances r, 1", r and 1- in sequence to bring the motor up to high speed.

The energizing circuit of switch 2 extends from line L through interlocking contacts 3a of switch 3 by conductor 25 through the coil of switch 2 by conductor 26 through the car switch 6 when in engagement with its contacts by conductor 27 to line L or alternatively from conductor 26 by conductor 28 through switch 7 by conductor 29 to conductor 27 and line L On the other hand the energizing circuit of switch 3 extends from line L through interlocking contacts 2a of switch 2 by conductor 30 through the coil of switch 3 by conductor 31 through the car switch when in engagement with its contact 66 by conductor 27 to line L or alternatively from conductor 31 by conductor 32 through switch 8 by conductor 29 to conductor 27 and line L Thus it will be observed that the car switch provides for selective energization of switches 2 and 3 as above stated and that the switches 7 and 8 parallel the car switch to afford control of the switches 2 and 3 respectively without dependence on the car switch as also previously stated. Further it will be observed that the reversing switches 2 and 3 are electrically interlocked whereby each upon response renders the other unresponsive. Accordingly such interlock renders closure of switch 7 ineffective when reversing switch 3 is closed and renders switch 8 ineil ectivewhen reversing switch 2 is closed whereby switches 7 and 8 may be closed on passing any landing without interfering with the, operation of the motor under the control of the car switch. I

Whenever the carswitch is thrown into engagement with either of its contacts 60. it

completes circuit from line L by conductors 33 and 3 o and through the coil 01 switch 5 by conductor 35 and 27 to line L Switch 5 then responds and through its auxiliary contacts 5a completes circuit from line L by conductors 33, 34-. and 36 to and through the coil of device 4 by conductor 27 to line L Thus as stated the car switch affords control of the switch 5 and device 4: to accelerate the motor at will. 7 I

Also switch 9 as will be observed completes circuit from conductor 35 by conductor 37 to conductors 29 and 27 to line L thus providing for energization of the switch 5 independently of the car switch as previously stated. Accordingly closure of the switch 9 provides for high speed operation of the motor while opening thereof, assuming the car switch to be open, provides for slowdown of the motor as explained.

It will readily appear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of many changes and modifications both with reference to the wiring and general arrangement and to the construction and sedevice driven by an electric motor, the combination with motor control means whereby the driven device may be started and stopped, of means associated with the former means to effect predetermined positioning of the driven device if the stopping position thereof selected by said former means is within a given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means having a fixed location and be ing operable by and in synchronism with the driven device.

2. In a controller for an elevator or other device driven by an electric motor, the combination with motor control means whereby the driven device may be started and stopped,

of means associated with the former means to effect predetermined positioning of the driven device it the stopping position thereof selected by said former means is within a'given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means including a set of switches and means operable by and in synchronism with the driven device to actuate said switches for control of the driven device when within any such range.

3. In a controller for an elevator or other device driven by .an electric motor, the combination with motor control means whereby the driven device may be started. stopped,

of means associated with the former means to eifect predetermined positioning of the driven device if the stopping position thereforselected by said former means is within a'given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means including a single set of switches to control the driven device when within any such range and actuating means for said switches operable by the driven device in synchronism therewith but at a relatively reduced speed.

4. In a controller for an elevator or other device driven by an electric motor, the combination with motor control means whereby the driven device may be started and stopped,

of means associated with the former means to effect predetermined positioning of the iii) bination with motor control ineansproviding for relatively slow and high speed opera tions of the driven device, said means including anelement operable at will to start and stop positions selectively, of means associated with the aforementioned means to eilectpre determined positioning of the driven device upon return of said element to stopposition when the drivendevice is within a given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means providing for operation of the driven device ateither slow speed or high speed.

6. In a controller for an elevator or other device driven by an electric motor, the combination withmotor control means providing for relatively slow and high speed operationsof the driven device, said means includan element, operable at will to and stop positions selectively, oi means associated with the aforementioned mear to effect predetermined positioning of the driven device if said element is returned to stop position when the driven device, is within a given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means including means to efiect graduation of the speed ot the driven device in approaching its selected positionof arrest. 7 p 7. In a'controller for an elevator operable by an electric motor,,the combination with motor control means'whereby the elevator may bebrought to any landing, of associated means to effcctleveling of the elevat r with any selected landing uponovertravel. orune dertravel of the former, the latter means comprising asingle set of leveling switches for all landings and actuating device operable by and .in synchronism with the elevator,

said device having diilerent sets of-switch actuating parts'to function for 'dififerent la-ndings. 7 l

' 8. In a controller for an elevator'operable vby an electric motor, the'combinationwith motor control means whereby the elevator may be brought to any landing-,Ot associated means to effect leveling of the elevator with any selected landing upon overtravel or' .un-cv dertravel of the former, the latter means comprising a single set of leveling switches for all. landings, an actuating device therefor having individual sets of switch actuating parts to function for the several landings and a driving connection betweensaid device and theelevator including reduction gearing.

landing.

9. Inia controllerforan elevator operable byian electricmotor, the combination with control means including a car switch whereby the elevator be operated at diilerent speeds .and'stopped atsany landing, of associated means to efifect leveling of the elevator with any selected landing upon overtravel or undertravel of the former, the latter means being operable by the elevator and including means to eilecthigh speed or slow speed operation of the elevator during approach to the selected landing according to the required degree of travel thereof.

10. In a controller for an elevator operable by an electric 1110t01,"tl1(;} combination with control means including a car switch whereby the elevator may be operated at difterent speeds and stopped at any landing, of associated means to effect leveling of the elevatorwith any selected landing upon overtravel or undertravel of the former, the second mentioned means including switches to eil'ect slow speed and high speed operation of the elevator in either direction and a device operable by and in synchronism with the elevator to actuate said switches for high speed operation through a given range of approach to the selected landing and slow speed oper ation' through a lesser range 0t approach to such landing.

11. The combination with an elevator car, an electric hoisting motor theretonand motor control means including an element manually operable to start and stop positions, of automatic means associated with said control means for effecting an initial high speed and subsequent low speed leveling of said'carwith a selected landing upon movement of said element to 7 stop position when said car is within a given range of said landing.

12. The combination with an elevatorcar, an electric hoisting motor therefor, and motor control means including an element manually operable to start and stop positions, of automatic means associated with said control means for effecting an initiallhigh speed and subsequent low speed'leveling of said car with a selected landing nponmovement of said element to stop position when said car is within a given range of said landing and means whereby all of said carloperations including the high and low speed movements thereof 1 within theleveling range and the movements thereof outside saidrange are eltected by the single aforementioned motor. I I

' The combination with an elevator car, an electric hoisting motor therefor, and motor control means including n element manually CV4- operable to start and stop positions, of automatic means associated with said control means and providing for multi-speed leveling of said car with a selected landing upon movement of said element'to stop position when said car is within a given range of said 14. The combination with an elevator car, an electric hoisting motor therefor, and motor control means including an element manually operable to start and stop positions, of auto matic means associated with said control means and providing for multi-speed leveling of said car with a selected landing upon move ment of said element to stop position when said car is within. a given range of said landing, the initial leveling speed within said range being substantially the same as the regular running speed of the car outside such range.

15. In a controller for an elevator or other device driven by an electric motor, the combination with motor control means whereby the driven device may be started and stopped, of means associated with the former means to effect predetermined positioning of the driven device if the stopping position thereof selected by said former means is within a given range of any one of a number of predetermined positions, the second mentioned means providing for operation of the driven device at either slow speed or high speed and having a fixed location and being operable by and in synchronism with the driven device.

16. An elevator car, a plurality of landings for the car, stop switches for the car and relatively to which the car may travel, and a controller on the car common to the several landings and shiftable to oii position to select a landing and thereby render one of said switches efiective.

17. An elevator car, a plurality of landings for the car, a pair of stop switches for the car common to the several landings and relatively to which the car may travel, and a controller on the car common to the several landings and shiftable by the operator from a running position to neutral position within a given range of any landing to select a landing and thereby render one of said switches effective.

In witness whereof I hereto affix my signature.

EDWIN F. KIEGKHEFER. 

